Active Families

WHAT IS ACTIVE FAMILIES

Green Prescription (GRx) Active Families is a free programme which targets 4-12 year olds and their families.

The programme is designed to provide support, guidance and opportunities to create healthy lifestyles through regular physical activity and healthy eating.

The Active Families coordinator will support and guide the family to set achievable goals and increase their level of activity and participation. Healthy nutrition advice is part of the programme and there's also the opportunity to meet and make new friends while working towards worthwhile and positive outcomes.

Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, it builds strong muscles and bones, helps protect the heart and benefits mental health as well. Active children are healthier, stronger, more confident, do better in school, sleep better and in general grow up to be healthy fit adults.

Active Families is run every Tuesday of the school term, 3:45pm at Roslyn School.

WHAT IS ACTIVE TEENS?

Active Teens programme is for teenagers aged between 13 and 17. What happens in this programme? There is recorded fitness testing, goal setting and fitness sessions at different places around Palmerston North, making teens more aware of the importance in keeping active, healthy and fit. Our programme visits gyms, does kicking boxing, x fit and cycling.Active Teens meet on Mondays during the school term at 3:45pm at various places around Palmerston North.

A referral to the GRx Active Families or Active Teens Programme is available to anyone 17 years and under who:

Would benefit from being more active

Has poor eating habits

Is overweight

Has the support of whanau/family

May have a stable medical condition.

WHAT IS ACTIVE GRANDPARENTS-MOKOPUNA

Active Grandparents-Mokopuna is a programme set up for children who live with their grandparents. In this programme we teach both the children and grandparents basic games they can play in their backyards, parks and schools.

The programme is designed to support grandparents opportunities to provide healthy lifestyles and active ideas for their grandchildren/mokopuna.

Active Grandparents-Mokopuna meet every Thursday from 3:45pm throughout the school terms at Bill Brown Park in Palmerston North.

Children can be referred to this programme if they are fully cared for and live fulltime with their grandparents. Grandparents can refer their grandchild/ren to this programme by self referral.

HOW TO JOIN

You can be referred to GRx Active Families if your child:

is school aged

would benefit from being more active

has poor eating habits

is overweight

has the support of whānau/family

may have a stable medical condition

Most referrals come from GPs, pediatricians or practice nurses. You can also refer yourself by calling Sport Manawatu 06 357

WHAT'S INVOLVED

Nutrition:

To help the family understand the importance of eating healthy. These sessions will highlight how easy and nutritious healthy foods can be.

Physical Activity:

Active Families is not just about learning how exercise is good for you. It is about taking part and participating in physical activities,gaining confidence, improving health, and of course having fun. We get out into the community and try a variety of different sports and activities which suit all levels of ability.